The dawn of a brand new Barclays Premier League season is upon us, so we asked 10 respected journalists for their predications.

Who’ll be lifting the Barclays Premier League trophy in May? Which players should we look out for? And what can we expect from Liverpool? These are the views of the country’s top reporters.

CLIVE TYLDESLEY, ITV

Who’ll win league? Arsenal.

Where will Liverpool finish? Fourth.

Surprise package team? Arsenal.

Player of the Year? Robin van Persie.

Relegated? Blackpool, Wolves, Wigan.

LFC player to watch? Martin Kelly. He looks both physically and mentally ready for the challenge and I was very impressed with him against Lyon last season.

One hope as a reporter this season? For both Liverpool and England to be allowed to play with more freedom.

OLIVER KAY, THE TIMES

Who’ll win league? Chelsea.

Where will Liverpool finish? Better than last year. They’ll challenge hard for the top four.

Surprise package team? Everton.

Player of the Year? Steven Gerrard.

Relegated? Blackpool, Wigan, West Brom.

LFC player to watch? Gerrard. He had a frustrating time last season and I can see him driving Liverpool forward this time. You only have to see those two goals for England the other night to remind yourself what he’s capable of.

One hope as a reporter this season? I’d like to see six or seven teams being competitive at the top of the table. It all looks very unpredictable at the moment and that can only be a good thing.

PAUL JOYCE, DAILY EXPRESS

Who’ll win league? Chelsea.

Where will Liverpool finish? Top four.

Surprise package team? Everton.

Player of the Year? Wayne Rooney.

Relegated? Blackpool, West Brom, Wigan.

LFC player to watch? Fernando Torres. Hopefully his injury problems are behind him and he’ll reaffirm himself as the best striker in the world.

One hope as a reporter this season? That I’m writing about on-the-field events.

DOMINIC KING, THE ECHO

Who’ll win league? Chelsea.

Where will Liverpool finish? Third.

Surprise package team? Liverpool.

Player of the Year? Cesc Fabregas.

Relegated? Blackpool, Wigan, West Brom.

LFC player to watch? Joe Cole. We’ll give him a platform to showcase his undoubted talent and I think he’ll feel like he has something to prove.

One hope as a reporter this season? That I get to report on a trip to Wembley and on Liverpool winning a trophy.

VINNY O’CONNOR, SKY SPORTS

Who’ll win league? Manchester United.

Where will Liverpool finish? Third.

Surprise package team? Wigan.

Player of the Year? Steven Gerrard.

Relegated? Blackpool, West Ham, West Brom.

LFC player to watch? Apart from Gerrard, Fernando Torres. Hopefully he’ll be injury free and we’ll all see the best of him.

One hope as a reporter this season? Less takeovers, more football.

JOE BERNSTEIN, MAIL ON SUNDAY

Who’ll win league? Manchester United.

Where will Liverpool finish? Sixth.

Surprise package team? Bolton.

Player of the Year? Nemanja Vidic.

Relegated? Blackpool, Fulham, Wigan.

LFC player to watch? Daniel Agger. When fit and playing regularly, he’s the best defender in the league.

One hope as a reporter this season? Games that aren’t settled by decisions which TV replays show to be incorrect.

STEVE HOTHERSALL, RADIO CITY

Who’ll win league? Chelsea.

Where will Liverpool finish? Fourth.

Surprise package team? Everton.

Player of the Year? Wayne Rooney.

Relegated? Blackpool, Wolves, West Brom.

LFC player to watch? Martin Kelly. We need someone to come through defensively and he’s got everything in his locker.

One hope as a reporter this season? I hope I’m commentating on memorable games of football that get the fans excited.

IAN HERBERT, THE INDEPENDENT

Who’ll win league? Chelsea.

Where will Liverpool finish? Fourth.

Surprise package team? Sunderland.

Player of the Year? Florent Malouda.

Relegated? Blackpool, Wigan, West Brom.

LFC player to watch? Glen Johnson. He showed last season that he’s a great wing-back but with Hodgson in charge I expect there to be more emphasis on shape and discipline. Hodgson could be a great manager for him.

One hope as a reporter this season? That we see players coming through who cost nothing, and a sense that money can’t buy everything.

MIKE HUGHES, BBC RADIO MERSEYSIDE

Who’ll win league? Chelsea.

Where will Liverpool finish? Third.

Surprise package team? Bolton.

Player of the Year? Steven Gerrard.

Relegated? Blackpool, West Brom, Wigan.

LFC player to watch? Gerrard. He’s still one of the finest players in the world and even though it’s great to have new arrivals at Liverpool, he remains the best.

One hope as a reporter this season? A bit more excitement at home this season and for fans and players alike to enjoy their football at Anfield once again – it could help the team to do better.

JULIETTE FERRINGTON, FIVE LIVE

Who’ll win league? Chelsea.

Where will Liverpool finish? Fourth.

Surprise package team? Birmingham.

Player of the Year? Steven Gerrard.

Relegated? Blackpool, West Brom, Bolton.

LFC player to watch? Gerrard. He was one of England’s better players during the World Cup but he still would have been stung by the criticism. Wednesday night showed he’s a real leader, not just for Liverpool but also England.

One hope as a reporter this season? That I’m not talking about financial situations at any club.